Let’s Get Crackin’

After blogging for a bit yesterday, we got ready for dinner.  (Sidenote:  Jeff actually suggested that we NOT bring the laptop on the trip.  I almost started hyperventilating and then just packed it up myself.)

Last year when we came down, we ate at Joe’s Crab Shack and had the steampots.  It was so good, we decided to go again. 

I came prepared with my jacket and we sat outside on the patio to enjoy the view.  You can see the Redondo Pier.

We enjoyed a couple of adult beverages; beer for Jeff and a margarita for me. 

Then it was time for dinner!!  We ordered the fried calamari appetizer and a steam pot each.  Anytime we order a steam pot, the restaurant gives you a bib and cracking tools.  Since Jeff was wearing a white shirt, we thought it best to oblige.  I ended up getting dirtier than Jeff though!!

As we planned, we left stuffed!  We came back to the hotel and relaxed and watched the sunset. 

Can you say UPGRADE?

Jeff and I arrived at the Portofino Hotel and were excited to celebrate our upcoming anniversary.

I had scored us a really good deal on LivingSocial.com which got us 2 nights for the price of one.  I opted for the minimal priced upgrade to an ocean view room versus a marina view room.

We checked and my very social husband started talking to the manager and mentioned we had stayed here our wedding weekend, our 1 year anniversary and again this year.  As a treat, he gave us a late – 5 pm – checkout on Sunday and the girl helping us upgraded us from a regular room to a Jr. Suite.  NICE!!!

The Jr Suites have a small dining area and the bed is facing the ocean versus facing the side wall.  Now we can lay on bed and watch TV and the ocean!

The only bummer so far…noisy neighbors.  WE CANNOT ESCAPE!!  They are 2 rooms down and playing bumping music and smoking on their balcony.  I swear, wherever we go…

Weekend Sleepover

Chloe is going to be spending the weekend with her Aunty Shannon.  She’s super excited as no one is going to yell at her to get down from the couch while they’re eating. 

We’ll miss you fur daughter, but hope you have fun!  Make sure Aunty let’s you cuddle on the bed with her!!

Wedding Bells

At 1:00am tomorrow morning, the pomp and circumstance will begin.

Who is getting married?  Willy & Kate. 

While a good chunk of media and regular people have been talking about the wedding and the live coverage, I thought my household had escaped it. 

Until I came out of our room and heard SOMEONE on the phone with Crystal discussing what channel they were going to be taping it on. 

He-who-shall-not-be-named was insistent it’s because he enjoys the historical aspect of it all.  He’s a prince, third in line, blah blah blah. 

Well Crystal, you have a partner in crime.  What else can I say but you In-Laws do stick together.

House Rules

Jeff and I live a pretty relaxed home life.  We generally don’t have many “rules” but there are some.

1.  No shoes in the house – what if you step in gross spit and track it in a spot I like to lay on?

2.  The AC will be set no lower than 82 degrees when no one is at home – I’m cheap.

3.  If you put buy something on a credit card a receipt needs to be presented – the same day.  I repeat, I’m cheap.

4.  No pooping on the bed. 

Wait, what was that?  Did you see that fur daughter?  That last one, about the poop? 

Why then, last night, did I swing my leg on top of the bed covers and my foot hit something soft and a bit damp?  And why did I sit up, PICK IT UP, expecting it to be a toy and instead find out it was POO?

Now I do appreciate that it was not the liquid variety but Chloe, seriously? 

No bueno dog, no bueno. 

We’ll stop at rule 4 because obviously some of us *cough* Chloe *cough* just can’t grasp them.

I’m serious though dog, if you poop on the bed one more time, you’re going to be forced to sleep in the bathroom on fur daddy’s side of the bed. 

Word

My cousin and I got the below email forwarded from Shannon:

Your neighbor may be very noisy or very difficult,

but so long as your own mind is calm and peaceful,

neighbors will not bother you much.

Dalai Lama

Followed with her text…

Apparently, the Dalai Lama is not aware of your neighbors. 

Just take a calming breath… & then pound on the wall or floor. 

–Insight from Shannon (who lives below a constantly crying baby & a very overweight dog) 

 

WORD!

Sleepy Puppy

Towards the end of the evening, Chloe usually finds a nice spot to fall asleep.

It’s typically on the back of the couch but this time she decided to fall asleep on the seat of the couch and laid her head on Jeff’s pillow.

Please ignore the scary eyes. 

Celebrating Easter

Jeff and I filled our Easter Sunday to the MAX!

We got up early and at a yummy breakfast of machaca burritos and “attended church” from our couch while live streaming the service.  Uh, love this! 

After letting our food settle, we went on a 3.1 mile run.  We ran more than we walked and my legs are feeling it.  Easter 5k, done and done!

After running, we got dolled up and headed over to my grandparents for some Easter linner (lunch/dinner).  The nieces dressed up and looked so cute!

Look who also came with us! 

We let them open their baskets and they got so excited.  Some of their Reese’s eggs immediately went missing.  *cough* Daniel *cough*

Noellie went straight for the food and tried her best to open it. 

Soon after, lunch was served.  We had ham, potato salad, macaroni salad, zucchini and corn and roles.  Sooo good.  Noellie was having a teething day so Danny and Shannon tried to distract her. 

We went outside so the girls could play with the kites Shannon bought them.  I hated those dumb things.  They were more of a pain then functional but the girls lurved them. 

The daring duo:  Hey Hey and Ka.

Where one goes, the other follows. 

After untangling those darn kites multiple times, Vanessa (thank the Lord we have an elementary school teacher in our family) brought out a parachute to entertain the kiddos. 

The object of the game was to keep the 2 balls on the parachute. 

At one point Chloe saw the balls and tried to climb on the parachute to get them.  Poor Vanessa was the closest one to try to shoo her off. 

After a while the girlies decided running under the parachute was more fun. 

Love Hailey’s face!!

Noellie watched from the sidelines, she’s way more mature than her cousins & sis.

We then ushered in the kiddies so the egg hunt could get started.  Once the eggs were securely hidden, we let everyone out. 

Even Chloe got in on the search!  Go fur daughter, find some eggs. 

Paige found the mother-load egg!

And of course, no Easter celebration is complete without confetti eggs!

Nana got both Crystal and Chad. 

Even Chloe got in on the fun. 

Crystal got hit again!  This time by Shannon.  LOL, she was showing Shannon what happens when she gets hit. 

Chloe is now knocked out on the couch.  Snoring!